First Run On The CNC Router Video

[kmmcrafts]

Well, I took some time to try to learn the programming of the CNC this last week.. I've tried several times to learn it but always got orders or side tracked and forgot everything I learned so finally I made my first program.. quick and easy one just to learn what buttons to push, LOL.. Took only about 2:30 minutes to carve this out once I had the programming and board secured to the machine... we won't talk about the hours it took to create this simple programming setup though, LOL.. Now that I done the first program.. I think I could do another one like this in just a couple minutes.. Maybe....LOL

 

[Foxfold]

I sometimes struggle with my computer that comes ready programmed, so there is no way I'd fathom out one of these machines. It certainly looks as though you have it cracked.  It will be a great asset to you I'm sure.  Enjoy.

[Fab4]

Hi Kevin:
Not impressed, I will stay with my scroll saw
and friends here at the SCROLL SAW Village
Fab4

[rjweb]

That’s neat, now you can add sign making to your resume, RJ 

[Travis]

Nice!  I really enjoy my CNC.  I've also been playing with a cheap laser cutter/engraver.  Takes a lot of tinkering, though.  But fun. 

 

 

[Foxfold]

6 hours ago, Fab4 said:

Hi Kevin:
Not impressed, I will stay with my scroll saw
and friends here at the SCROLL SAW Village
Fab4

This was put in the ''Other Woodworks''  forum so not sure why you are so cross.

[Travis]

I moved the thread from "General Scroll Sawing" to the "Other Woodworks" section.

[Foxfold]

1 hour ago, Travis said:

I moved the thread from "General Scroll Sawing" to the "Other Woodworks" section.

Oh, Ok. It still seems a bit harsh     I would have asked a little more politely but maybe that's because I'm an 'old fashioned'  old English Lady. 

[Scrappile]

One of the new medias I would love to play with.  And would not give up scrolling but still think it would be a fun tool to have.  Don't understand a thing about them, but it doesn't matter, my brain is getting worn, and I don't think I could master it.  I can't do Gimp or Inkscape.... soooo.

[kmmcrafts]

Posting CNC Router or Laser things on a scroll saw site you can always expect to get some dis-grunted attitudes about it.. Mostly from un-educated folks that know nothing about the machines or their capabilities.. I was one of those close minded folks just a couple years ago.. but after taking the time to "learn"  the machines and their capabilities I quickly learned that these machines cannot do what a scroll saw does.. but many seem to think the CNC's are cheating and have created a easy no skill way for a person to run a business and run all the scroll saw crafters out of business.. and it's simply not the case.. You cannot do fine detail work with a CNC router.. and a laser will burn the edges of the projects.. and for what it's worth.. neither machine will cut the same project as fast or faster than one can scroll saw by stack cutting.. UNLESS you buy a industrial grade laser.. which your talking a few hundred thousand dollar machines.. These entry level machines will not even compete against a seasoned scroll sawer..

I just find it funny that we can talk any kind of other woodwork tools lathe, drill press, carving, hand routing, etc. on a site but how offensive one gets once a computerized machine is mentioned...   Many say it's just pushing a button and no skill to it.. Come over and show me that magic button then I invite you over to show me how easy it is to run this and no skill needed .. I need to see that.. 

Ill not post anymore about it.. was hoping everyone could be open minded about it and learn that these are NOT just a push button machine.. and we all "could learn" some about running these machines.. It's quite hard finding info about how to run these machines online.. everything is showing the machine running. but not the How To part of it.. But that's okay I respect that this is a scroll saw site.. 

Travis Sorry I put this in the wrong section,

Edited August 13, 2019 by kmmcrafts

[kmmcrafts]

3 hours ago, Travis said:

Nice!  I really enjoy my CNC.  I've also been playing with a cheap laser cutter/engraver.  Takes a lot of tinkering, though.  But fun. 

 

 

Did you get a K40 laser? I bought one of those at the same time I got this CNC.. I haven't even messed with it yet, but looking forward to learning it also.. Just wanted to learn one machine at a time, LOL

[Sycamore67]

I would like for you to continue to post about it, your struggles and uses.  It is a new tool in woodworking and going to be around.  

[OCtoolguy]

Kevin, I for one, think this is fantastic and I envy you now that you have it and are starting to understand how to use it. I can tell you for sure that if I lived anywhere near you, I'd be other at your place trying to learn over your shoulder. I don't think anybody on SSV has a bug up their behind over this. I, for one, am just very very envious of you. Please, don't stop posting videos for those of us who are truly interested. Any machine that works wood is fine with me. If I had the space, I'd be having one for sure.

 

[Travis]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

Did you get a K40 laser? I bought one of those at the same time I got this CNC.. I haven't even messed with it yet, but looking forward to learning it also.. Just wanted to learn one machine at a time, LOL

Yup...I got the K40 laser.  It's a lot of fun.  Still learning it and what I can use it for.  Requires a lot of tinkering to get it to behave decently.  But considering how cheap it is, it's worth the effort. 

I also have an XCarve CNC.  I have a lot of fun with it too.  Really good for sign making.  I'll also use it for templates, tool holders, engraving, prototyping, etc.  I'm glad I have it.

 

I agree, the laser and CNC is just another tool.  It just takes a different set of skills to make them work well (which is part of the adventure).  Most of the work comes at the front end with the planning and designing.  But it does take a lot of trial and error to to get it to work well.  And what comes off the CNC or laser is just one small part of the larger project.  You still have to incorporate other tools and skills to get to the final project.

The CNC is a slow process.  Sometimes it's easier to do something the old way and save your self a lot of time.  Where it really shines is the accuracy and repeatability.  I often use it to make router templates.  Lasers are cool too.  They can engrave and personalize projects very nicely.  They're not the best at cutting through thick material, though.  The best I could do is 1/4".  Plus, it burns the heck out of the edges.  So in those cases, I turn to other cutting tools (scroll saw, table saw, router table, etc).

It's just another tool in my shop.  It's pretty great to have when I have a project that will benefit from it.  It blends my love of computers & technology (which is why I run SSV), and my love of woodworking & crafting.  Plus, it's a stupid amount of fun! 

 

[Foxfold]

2 minutes ago, Travis said:

Plus, it's a stupid amount of fun! 

  I do so agree with you.  I'm still learning how to scroll and I know I get a tremendous amount of pleasure from that, so I can imagine how much fun you get out of your 'different' machines.  Oh to be 30yrs  younger !!!!!

[Foxfold]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

Ill not post anymore about it.. was hoping everyone could be open minded about it and learn that these are NOT just a push button machine.. and we all "could learn" some about running these machines..

Well, I for one love to hear about 'other' woodworking machines, I'm fascinated by the (to me) unfathomable technology we have in our world today. Would I ever use one ?  No, but at my age it will take me most of the rest of my days to become proficient at my saw, and technology in the main goes right over my head, but that doesn't mean I don't 'like' it.

[Fab4]

Hey Kevin:
Sorry for the pushing the wrong button
I came across as being disrespectful. that wasn't my intent
I, personally don't have any interest in this type of woodworking
I know I have the choice to view or not to view  whatever is posted on this great site
There seems to be quite the interest in what your doing, so don't let one person's opinion
change the way you go about your business
I will l will leave you with this:
TO EACH HIS OWN 

Now, back to our regular scheduled program
Fab4

[meflick]

Welcome to the “dark side” Kevin.  I agree, there is a lot more involved then most people realize with these machines, Like Travis said, I got one because I am a computer/ tech junkie as much as any other reason. I need to get back to working with ours some more. Unfortunately it has been long enough I am afraid I may have to go back and relearn some of it.

I think we are good if we discuss in the “off topic” area like other woodworks where Travis moved this to. There are a few of us here in the “dark side.” and looks like others who like to follow along so keep on sharing. I kept the fact that I had one well hidden for a while but have shared a little on here in the past. I will try to remember to do so again when I get back to it,

[kmmcrafts]

4 hours ago, Fab4 said:

Hey Kevin:
Sorry for the pushing the wrong button
I came across as being disrespectful. that wasn't my intent
I, personally don't have any interest in this type of woodworking
I know I have the choice to view or not to view  whatever is posted on this great site
There seems to be quite the interest in what your doing, so don't let one person's opinion
change the way you go about your business
I will l will leave you with this:
TO EACH HIS OWN 

Now, back to our regular scheduled program
Fab4

Paul, no offense taken.. I was one of those folks that hated these machines and I fully understand how there are a lot of folks that do not take these machines lightly.. I knew in posting it I'd take a chance in getting some dis-grunted opinions about it.. I do try to keep the talk of these to a minimum purposely due to this place being primarily a scroll saw site.. I've been on both sides of the track with my opinions of these machines... The thing is.. there is no better site and a better group of folks to chat with about woodworking than right here.. I've joined up with several groups of CNC forums etc and nothing comes close to this group of people.. and I'm thankful to have made quite a few friends here.. I was just really excited to be able to program and run my first piece on it after 8 months of watching how-to videos and asking a million questions on the CNC forum.. Those guys really get grumpy with folks trying to learn and answering the same questions over and over.. and many times they make a guy feel un-welcome so I didn't feel comfortable to brag and show off my first piece with them since I really don't know any of them on a more personal level like I know many here.. 

I in no way intend to or want to turn this place into a CNC talk forum.. I merely just wanted to show my first piece and I was actually able to make the machine work.. This first piece took me several tries to get the drawing up and then mess with the machine to get it to recognize the drawing file etc etc.. one thing after another.. to some folks this is a 2-3 minute drawing program and them a 3 minute cutting.. for me it's a BIG accomplishment to actually run the first piece.. even though I have several hours into figuring out the drawing program as well as the CNC software..

For the others.. I'll post little tib bits about the machine and some pieces every now and then but I don't really plan to talk a lot about it here in the village.. I will try to remember to post the things I do put up in the correct section though.. Thinking I might do a blog with more info on the machine and my experiments for those that might have interest in following along.. If I do this I'll be sure to make a posting about it where others can find it.. etc.. 

 

Edited August 14, 2019 by kmmcrafts

[rjweb]

Kevin,

keep posting about your adventure with the cnc and lazer, very interesting and maybe some day I would want to get them also, especially after you do all the work of what to do or not to do, thx for being a member of our forum, RJ 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Hey Kevin you notice it is not me this time For what you do I do not see these as being a big help except maybe in the ornament world. Get a corporate ornament and keep a file and just program to run 24 hours a day. It may help in that you can do a couple projects at the same time.  Doing the same ornament so many times gets boring real quick and that is where it may shine. Other than that stack cutting ornaments saves time too. Maybe be able to burn names and things like that in projects. The tool that fascinates me the most is the waterjet. What that can cut with such precision is unbelievable. Many people in the pen turning world use these cheap small Chinese lasers to do names and decal type work in pens. They seem to do well. 

Edited August 14, 2019 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[meflick]

Steve Good just posted a great article explaining why, in general, the Scroll Saw is the  best tool for about 90-95% of the work Scrollers do. He has a Chinese laser and a small CNC machine as well. I agree with what he shares about these tools. My husband has asked me a couple times why I didn’t do something I had done on the CNC, my reply has always been I can do it faster on the Scroll Saw (and I am not an expert with the Saw, average at best probably. )

here is link to article for anyone interested. Scroll down past the pattern info., it is after that. 

http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2019/08/if-you-cook-it-they-will-come-scroll.html

[kmmcrafts]

Thank you Melanie for posting this.. Steve explained it pretty good.. This is why I say that most scrollers that get all bent out of shape about these machines are un-educated about them.. If one goes and watches a youtube video of these machines.. you'll quickly see that most videos are sped up.. There is no way one can out perform a seasoned scroller and get the same results in a finished project.. 

I didn't buy these machines to replace the scroll saw. nor did I think I even could.. Not even on the thin ornament materials will this out perform me... The laser once I learn and use it.. "Might" do some engrave work on my scrolled pieces... I get asked a lot to personalize things.. Mostly at Christmas time.. I do some of the request.. but no way to keep up with all of them...not even on a laser.. I use a hand woodburn tool to do most of it.. Probably faster than setting up a file to run one piece through the laser to do it for me.. so I may not even use it for that.

I primarily bought these tools to learn about them and how to use them.. ( more a play toy ) I may start up another business someday that would primarily be CNC stuff.. Honestly think a guy with templates and a hand router could probably be just as efficient at routeing signs as these machines are.. a lot goes into building the program to run the file then set-up of the machine.. placement of the board on the machine bed etc.. as I've said... most people are mis-informed about these machines.. and their capabilities..   

Edited August 14, 2019 by kmmcrafts

[amazingkevin]

22 hours ago, Scrappile said:

One of the new medias I would love to play with.  And would not give up scrolling but still think it would be a fun tool to have.  Don't understand a thing about them, but it doesn't matter, my brain is getting worn, and I don't think I could master it.  I can't do Gimp or Inkscape.... soooo.

You an me are in the same boat for learning!

[Woodmaster1]

Awesome addition to your shop best part is not having to give up the scroll saw. The Cnc expands what you can offer. I would love to have a CNC router and laser. I can go out to the school I taught at and use their CNC router or have friend laser something for me. I forgot to mention the wood expo is just around the corner. I have been saving my pennies for the deals.

Edited August 20, 2019 by Woodmaster1